Archive for the ‘Gabrielle Riel’ Tag

Last week, I did a pure news piece (no opinion on my part in the main article) on the launch of a movement and linked blog called Step UP. The purpose of this, founded by Saffia Widdershins of Prim Perfect, is to urge Linden Lab into what sufferers consider meaningful action on the problem of content theft.

I received 3 responses to the article, including a long thoughtful one from Ari Blackthorne of Common|Sensible. His basic take was that, unless a meaningful alternative can be offered, all of this is simply sound and fury, signifying nothing; and this is the way it will remain for now, due to the nature of the Internet and the World Wide Web, on which basis Second Life is erected.

It comes down to the whole reason DRM (Digital Right Management) is a useless farce. Because if you can see it or hear it – you can copy it. The same is true with anything and everything on the Internet – including inside any virtual world (Second Life, too).

Ari has since expanded on this comment, as well as his response to my response, in an article of his own at Common|Sensible. It makes for some thought-provoking reading, and I would urge anyone who is taking a side in the debate to read, digest and consider.

In the wake of general frustration over content theft in Second Life, including the copying of three full sims’ worth of furniture designs, and the suit filed against Linden Lab by Munchflower Zaius and Stroker Serpentine, a movement has been proposed to show Resident support for change on the Lab’s part in handling the problem.

Saffia Widdershins, the publisher of the blog and virtual magazine PrimPerfect, has started a new blog she calls Step UP. The goal appears to be to create grassroots support for action by Linden Lab on the content theft problem. Other attempts have been made before, such as the “public service” ads proclaiming “Content theft steals the clothes off our backs,” but this move looks to build actual Resident action.

Saffia’s founding article (republished in PrimPerfect) proposes two actions, both it appears to take place on this coming November 5 — chosen for its association with Guy Fawkes Night in Great Britain:

The wearing of an orange ribbon (design suggested above, but Saffia encourages designers to make their own for handout) as a sign of support and solidarity;

a moratorium on uploading textures or snapshots to Second Life for the day, local time. (Uploads, you’ll recall, cost L$10, the money going to Linden Lab. The fee was instituted to control massive uploads of junk textures; but this money also represents a source of micro-income to the Lab, as thousands of textures are added to the Grid each day.)

Saffia also suggests finishing the day with bonfire parties scattered across the Grid (instead of one massive event that only a relative handful can attend, due to lag issues).

An education and media package is being prepared for distribution. For this and more information, contact Saffia Widdershins, Angie Mornington, Gabrielle Riel or Gwen Carillon.

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